amnio-

(Greek: "bowl", or "lamb")

Denotes a thin, transparent, tough membrane lining and the fluid-filled cavity contains the embryo of reptiles, birds, and mammals [amniotes]; the membrane around a fetus; diminutive of amnos, lamb; a bowl in which the blood of sacrificial victims was caught. Now used primarily to indicate the membrane surrounding the fetus in utero.

amniorrhexis
amnioscope
An endoscope that, by introduction into the cervical canal, permits direct visualization of the fetus and amniotic fluid which is the fluid that surrounds the developing fetus within the amniotic sac.

This environment cushions the baby from injury and plays an important role in fetal development.

amnioscopy
1. A direct visual examination of the contents of the amniotic cavity of the womb during pregnancy by using an endoscope.
2. The direct observation of the fetus, the color, and the amount of amniotic fluid with the use of a specially designed endoscope that is inserted through the uterine cervix or by using an incision in the abdominal wall.
amniotic
amniotome
amniotomy